LESSON SEVEN 
THE KINGDOM OF GOD 

A.	DEFINITION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD:
•	Jesus taught a great deal about the Kingdom of God. 
o	The uppermost thought in the minds of all the Jews. 
•	The "Kingdom of God" means primarily the rule of God, the divinely kingly authority. 
o	No difference between the "Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of Heaven." 
•	There are two requirements for any kingdom: (1) There must be a King, (2) There must be a realm with subjects over whom He reigns.

B.	JESUS TAUGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD: 
•	Matthew 6:33
o	Here Jesus taught the importance of the Kingdom of God.
•	The Kingdom of God is of first importance in life;
•	It should be sought before material things;
•	If one sought first the Kingdom of God, the material necessities of life would be added;
•	The Kingdom of God was a righteous kingdom and this righteousness should also be sought.

C. JESUS TAUGHT THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD WAS A SPIRITUAL KINGDOM: 
•	Luke 17:20-21
•	John 18:36
•	When the Pharisees enquired concerning the Kingdom, Jesus told them that the Kingdom would not come with outward display. 
o	He also said that Kingdom was within them. 
•	The Kingdom of God would not be seen through physical evidence such as meat and drink, but through the fruit of the Holy Ghost, righteousness, peace and joy.
•	Actually the Kingdom of God is Jesus reigning in the hearts and lives of His Spirit filled saints.

D. JESUS TAUGHT THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD BEGAN WITH THE CLOSE OF JOHN'S MINISTRY:
•	Matthew 11:11
•	Luke 16:16
•	These two Scriptures teach the following facts:
o	The Old Testament closed with the ministry of John the Baptist;
o	Since the least in the Kingdom is greater than John, John the Baptist was not in the Kingdom of God.

E. JESUS TAUGHT THAT IT WAS NOT EASY TO ENTER THE KINGDOM: 
•	Matthew 11:12
•	Luke 16:16
•	Mark 10:25
•	These Scriptures state that Jesus taught that it was not easy to enter the Kingdom of God. 
•	Jesus said it was necessary to be converted and become as a little child. 
o	Repentance calls for death to self, sin, the flesh and the world. 

F. THE NEW BIRTH IS NECESSARY FOR ENTRANCE TO THE KINGDOM: 
•	Matthew 18:3-to His Disciples
•	John 3:5-to Nicodemus
•	In both instances these words were not spoken to wicked men but to religious men. Requirements for entrance to the Kingdom:
1.	One must be converted and become as a child;
2.	One must be born of water;
3.    One must be born of the Spirit.
•	Man would not even see the Kingdom let alone enter the Kingdom, if he were not born again.

G. JESUS GAVE THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM TO PETER: 
•	Matthew 16:19-Jesus gave Peter the power to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. 
•	Peter was given the keys to open the door of the kingdom. 
o	Peter used these keys and opened the door to the Jews (Acts 2), Samaritans (Acts 8), and Gentiles (Acts 10).
•	The message that Peter preached was:
1.	Repentance;
2.	Water baptism in the Name of Jesus; 
3.	Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

LESSON SEVEN
SELF HELP TEST

A.	Write out a paragraph to show clearly what Jesus meant by giving "the keys of the kingdom" to Peter.

B.	Write out TWO Scriptures with references to prove that the Kingdom of God began after the ministry of John the Baptist.
1.	_________.
2.________________________________________________________________________.

C.	By using Scripture show that the Kingdom of God was a Spiritual Kingdom.

D.	By referring to Matthew 18:3 and John 3:5 name THREE essential requirements for entrance to the Kingdom:
1._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
2._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
3._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.